Integration of Computer-Aided Solar Energy System Design in Building Information Modeling

For the purposes of integrating a solar energy system design into BIM, this study proposes a new design model which deploys solar panels and design evaluation directly into BIM. In the proposed model, the functions of energy analysis software and solar design software are integrated into customized BIM tools developed using Revit and its API. Such integration allows users to perform solar system design for buildings in a BIM environment; further, the design is directly integrated into BIM. The user first uses BIM tools to build a BIM for a building, then the geometric information of BIM is exported to an energy analysis software for radiation analysis on the building envelope. After analysis, BIM tools import and display the analysis results using color contours on BIM. Based on the color contour of BIM, the user can choose optimal locations on the envelope of BIM to install solar panels. Finally, BIM tools can calculate the power generation of current deployment. Since the aforementioned design operations are all performed in a BIM environment, the user can continue revising and re-evaluating the design directly on BIM to reach an optimal design.